Groups Running the Grand Canyon will Require Permits

The popularity of crossing the national park in a single day has led to increased safety measures.

On a peak weekend at the Grand Canyon—between May and October—the National Park Service estimates that 400 to 600 people are hiking or running from rim-to-rim everyday, up from 300 to 400 estimated in 2013. The popularity of attempting to navigate a 21-mile route that includes a 4,000-foot drop, a grueling 4,000-foot climb and some rugged desert terrain in between continues to grow. Some even attempt to do that twice in one run.

As a result, officials announced today that they will take measures to ensure that groups who dare to traverse that single crossing, double crossing or even running from the rim down to the Colorado River and back in one day are aware of the wilderness etiquette and safety precautions that are needed for a successful run or hike. Organized groups planning such endeavors will be required to apply for a $175 special use permit beginning on Sept. 15, 2014.

“This is to educate runners and hikers on the Leave No Trace principles, trail etiquette and a way to manage this kind of activity with the other activities in the canyon, like overnight backpacking and mule trips,” said Maureen Oltrogge, a public affairs official at the Grand Canyon, in a phone interview with Running Times.

As runners have had more interest in trail running, and as a result, in completing challenges in the Grand Canyon and other national parks, rangers have tried to manage the repercussions. Among the challenges they report: abandoned gear on the trails, increased litter, human waste on the trails, an overburdened waste water treatment plant, and general concerns about trail courtesy with other park visitors.

“Park rangers are also seeing an increase in unprepared and injured rim-to-rim participants resulting in additional search-and-rescue responses, which then results in an overall delay of all search-and rescue operations,” according to the news release.

Beginning next month, organized groups will apply for a permit online. The Park Service is not limiting the number of permits issued, but groups will be limited to 30 individuals and one permit per day. A “group,” regardless of size, is defined as a non-commercial entity (a nonprofit organization, club, camp or the like) that has advertised to the general public, required individuals to sign up prior to participation, or that has an organizer (guide) who has been compensated for his or her services. Commercial groups will not be authorized.

Oltrogge added that a group of seven will need to have one member who is certified as a wilderness first responder or certified in emergency response, CPR and first aid. A group of more than seven will need two certified people.

Ian Torrence, a long-time ultrarunner and coach in nearby Flagstaff, Arizona, who has also worked for the National Forest Service and National Parks Service, agrees that it’s time for some measures to be taken.

“There’s a price for fame and we’ve done that to the Grand Canyon through publicizing fastest-known-times, posting videos and having runs covered in the magazines,” he said. “Now it’s on the park to cover their bases. They’re not stopping us from running there, but they are controlling who is making money off of it and adding a safety component. I think it should have been done a long time ago.”

Officials are calling this new permitting process a short-term solution until a more-comprehensive Backcountry Management Plan is complete. A draft of that plan will be released this fall for public review and comment.

“With rim-to-rim and extended day hiking and running increasing in popularity, we needed to find an interim solution that would give us the tool to educate hikers and runners on best practices until we have a longer-term solution in place,” said Dave Uberuaga, park superintendent, in a prepared statement.